View source for Recalled comics

'''Comic books''' have been '''recalled''' for various reasons, including simple printing errors, stories or images which were deemed inappropriate, and to avoid potential lawsuits. The rarest of these books is probably ''[[The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen]]'', volume 1, issue #5, published by an imprint of [[DC Comics]], which was recalled due to the inclusion of a vintage advertisement for [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[Douche]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://recalledcomics.com/LeagueOfExtraOrdinaryGentlemen5RecalledMarvelAd.php|title=Recalled Comics - League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen 5 Recalled Marvel Ad|accessdate=2023-12-17|archive-date=2023-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819173851/https://recalledcomics.com/LeagueOfExtraOrdinaryGentlemen5RecalledMarvelAd.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Other notable recalled comics are the ''[[Elseworlds 80-Page Giant]]'', which originally contained a depiction of baby [[Superman]] in a microwave, and [[Marvel Knights]]' ''[[Elektra (character)|Elektra]]'' issue #3, which had in it tame nude images of the title character.

As well as comics with evidence of a genuine recall, there have been a number of comics which the publishers (or distributors) have not recalled, but have allowed to be returned. Comic books have been categorized below, with supporting references, as recalled, returnable, or neither.

[[File:All Star Batman & Robin 10 Recalled.JPG|thumb|''All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder'' #10, recalled edition]]

==Verified recalls==
This section lists notable comics verified by the [[Comics Guaranty LLC|CGC]] Collectors Society as having been recalled. They are listed in the Society's Recalled Editions competitive comic book set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/SetScoreDetail.aspx?SetTypeID=354|title=Recalled Editions|accessdate=2010-02-13|work=CGC Registry|publisher=[[Comics Guaranty LLC|CGC]]|date=2006-03-22|archive-date=2011-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529025226/http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/SetScoreDetail.aspx?SetTypeID=354|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Action Comics'' #869===
November 2008, [[DC Comics]]: ''[[Action Comics]]'' #869 is the penultimate issue of the "[[Brainiac (story arc)|Brainiac]]" story arc. The original cover shows [[Superman]] and [[Jonathan and Martha Kent|Jonathan Kent]] outside the Kent farmhouse, drinking from bottles, which could be seen as containing beer, because their labels are unclear. DC issued a statement to retailers that the issue was recalled, and any copies featuring the initial cover should be destroyed. DC reprinted the issue the following week, with the labels on the bottles changed to read ''SODA POP''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Action Comics'' #869 Recalled |url=https://recalledcomics.com/ActionComics869Recalled.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721015227/https://recalledcomics.com/ActionComics869Recalled.php |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 20, 2023 |website=Recalled Comics}}</ref>

===''All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder'' #10===
August 2008, DC Comics: ''[[All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder]]'' was intended for mature readers. Street thugs use profanity in the comic; in the production process, the curse words were included in the speech balloons, but then blacked out.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17985 |title=Wash Your Mouth with Batsoap |work=Lying in the Gutters |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=2008-09-09 |access-date=2008-09-10 |archive-date=2008-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910060652/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17985 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the original version of issue #10, the ink used to obscure the objectionable words is a slightly different shade from the ink used to print the words themselves, resulting in the profanity being marginally legible. Series writer [[Frank Miller]] commented, "I have no idea how this awful thing happened. It's just one of those terrible and glorious things that happen time to time in publishing{{nbsp}}.... And my first reaction is simple: I want at least three copies".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/09/batman-and-robi.html |title='Batman and Robin' drops F-bomb |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2008-09-11 |access-date=2008-09-13 |archive-date=2008-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915042725/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/09/batman-and-robi.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Elektra'', vol. 3, #3===
November 2001, [[Marvel Comics]]: As printed initially, this comic contained nude images of [[Elektra (character)|Elektra]], though the [[glossary of comics terminology#Panel|panels]] were carefully drawn to show nothing untoward. Marvel recalled the issue and printed a replacement with underwear drawn on the character. Some 2,000 to 5,000 copies of the recalled version are believed to have survived.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cgccomics.com/gallery/details.aspx?comic=1294 |title=CGC record: Elektra #v2 #3 |accessdate=2008-09-13 |work=CGC information and population |publisher=[[Comics Guaranty LLC]] |date=2008-09-13 |archive-date=2011-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524160939/http://www.cgccomics.com/gallery/details.aspx?comic=1294 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Elektra'' #3 |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/96199/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723035716/https://www.comics.org/issue/96199/ |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Elektra'' 3 A, Nov 2001 Comic Book by Marvel |url=http://www.comiccollectorlive.com/livedata/issue.aspx?id=24e73bc4-76c8-4fcd-9631-1625a02fe9b9 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=Comic Collector Live |publisher=MidTen Media Inc.}}</ref>

===''Elseworlds 80-Page Giant''===
August 1999, DC Comics: One of the stories in this comic, "[[Letitia Lerner, Superman's Babysitter]]", by [[Kyle Baker]] and Liz Glass, depicts the super-toddler climbing into a microwave, which spurred DC president [[Paul Levitz]] to order a recall of the issue. However, the story was subsequently printed in DC's ''Bizarro Comics'' collection. DC reprinted the entire comic, including the story to which Levitz had objected, as ''DC Comics Presents: Elseworlds 80-Page Giant'' #1, which went on sale on December 28, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dccomics.com/comics/dc-comics-presents-elseworlds-80-page-giant-2011/dc-comics-presents-elseworlds-80-page-giant|title=DC COMICS PRESENTS: ELSEWORLDS 80-PAGE GIANT #1|publisher=[[DC Comics]]|language=en-us|url-status=dead|date=2011|accessdate=February 20, 2022|archivedate=February 17, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217064450/http://www.dccomics.com/comics/dc-comics-presents-elseworlds-80-page-giant-2011/dc-comics-presents-elseworlds-80-page-giant}}</ref>{{primary source-inline|date=February 2022}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dccomics.com/comics/dc-comics-presents-elseworlds-80-page-giant-2011/dc-comics-presents-elseworlds-80-page-giant|title=DC COMICS PRESENTS: ELSEWORLDS 80-PAGE GIANT #1|publisher=DC Comics|language=en-us|url-status=dead|date=2011|archivedate=June 19, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619175858/http://www.dccomics.com/comics/dc-comics-presents-elseworlds-80-page-giant-2011/dc-comics-presents-elseworlds-80-page-giant}}</ref>{{primary source-inline|date=February 2022}}

===''Halle the Hooters Girl'' #1===
January 1998, Cabbage Comics: This [[tie-in]] with a national tour of [[Hooters]] models was not authorized by the restaurant chain, and Hooters forced Cabbage to recall the comic. The print run was only 2,000 copies. The CGC lists a "Gold Foil Edition" of the issue in addition to a standard version.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Chris |date=January 7, 2010 |title=Halle the Hooters Girl |url=https://idolfeatures.com/2010/01/halle-the-hooters-girl.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725071345/https://idolfeatures.com/2010/01/halle-the-hooters-girl.html |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |website=Idol Features |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Tom |date=May 26, 2014 |title=''Halle the Hooters Girl'' #1, Breaking the (Copyright) Law |url=https://whatculture.com/comics/10-most-controversial-banned-comics?page=5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725071316/https://whatculture.com/comics/10-most-controversial-banned-comics?page=5 |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |website=[[WhatCulture]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/SlotScoreDetail.aspx?SlotID=41838| title=Recalled Editions: Halle the Hooters Girl 1| accessdate=2010-02-13| work=[[Comics Guaranty LLC|CGC]]| date=2010-02-13| archive-date=2011-07-08| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175320/http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/SlotScoreDetail.aspx?SlotID=41838| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/SlotScoreDetail.aspx?SlotID=41839|title=Recalled Editions: Halle the Hooters Girl 1 Gold Foil Edition|accessdate=2010-02-13|work=CGC Registry|date=2010-02-13|archive-date=2011-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175336/http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/SlotScoreDetail.aspx?SlotID=41839|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'', vol. 1, #5===
June 2000, [[America's Best Comics]]: An actual, early 20th-century advertisement for a [[douche]] manufactured by the Marvel Co. was reprinted in this issue. America's Best Comics had been acquired by DC, and president Levitz worried that the comic could expose the company to litigation from rival Marvel. He ordered the issue recalled, and it was reprinted with the word ''MARVEL'' changed to ''AMAZE''. Two hundred copies of the original version are estimated to have escaped the recall. ''League''{{'}}s writer, [[Alan Moore]], would later reference the episode in ''[[Top 10 (comics)|Top 10]]'' issue #9 with a newspaper headline reading "[[Miracleman|Miracle]] Douche Recall".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.recalledcomics.com/LeagueOfExtraOrdinaryGentlemen5RecalledMarvelAd.php | title=''League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen #5 Recalled'' | work=Recalled Comics.com | accessdate=2011-01-26 | archive-date=2013-10-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031144213/http://recalledcomics.com/LeagueOfExtraOrdinaryGentlemen5RecalledMarvelAd.php | url-status=live }}</ref>

===''The Matrix: Comic Book Preview''===
March 1999, [[Warner Bros.]]: This promotional comic was intended to be given away to audience members at American showings of ''[[The Matrix]]'', but was withdrawn "due to mature content" (despite the film itself being [[Motion Picture Association film rating system#MPA film ratings|rated R]]). Quite a few copies seem to have survived, however, and the comic is lower in value than others that have been recalled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''The Matrix Comic Book Preview'', Too Mature! |url=https://recalledcomics.com/TheMatrixComicBookPreviewRecalled.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727063801/https://recalledcomics.com/TheMatrixComicBookPreviewRecalled.php |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=Recalled Comics}}</ref>

===''Millennium Edition: Mad'' #1===
February 2000, DC Comics: At the beginning of the 21st century, DC reprinted 62 notable issues from the company's history under the umbrella title ''[[Millennium Edition (DC Comics)|Millennium Edition]]''. One of these reprints was the first issue of ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]'', which was published originally by [[EC Comics]]. The initial version of ''Millennium Edition: Mad'' #1 (also known as ''Millennium Edition: Tales Calculated to Drive You Mad'' #1) only listed DC and its staff, omitting credit to EC and the creators of ''Mad'' #1, including [[William Gaines|William M. Gaines]] and [[Harvey Kurtzman]]. The issue was recalled and the credits corrected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Millennium Edition: Mad'' 1 Recalled Edition |url=https://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/SlotScoreDetail.aspx?SlotID=19586 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727102037/https://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/SlotScoreDetail.aspx?SlotID=19586 |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=CGC Collectors Society}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Millennium Edition: Tales Calculated to Drive You Mad'' 1 [Direct Sales] |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/229661/ |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=Grand Comics Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Childs |first=Kelvin |date=November 18, 2018 |title=Totally Recalled: 15 Comics the Stores Had to Send Back |url=https://www.cbr.com/comics-recalled-sent-back-to-printer/#millennium-edition-mad-1 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nude Microwave Scandal: ''Millennium Edition: Mad'' 1 |url=http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/awards/WinningComicDetail.aspx?AwardSetComicID=967753&AwardSetID=34772 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525230247/http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/awards/WinningComicDetail.aspx?AwardSetComicID=967753&AwardSetID=34772 |archive-date=2015-05-25 |access-date=2012-11-02}}</ref>

===''Phonogram: The Singles Club'' #5===
October 2009, [[Image Comics]]: This comic was originally printed with a [[barcode]] for issue #4. It is estimated that 200 copies of the recalled version exist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Phonogram: The Singles Club'' #5 – Recalled – Barcode Error! |url=https://recalledcomics.com/PhonogramTheSinglesClub5Recalled.php |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=Recalled Comics}}</ref>

===''Tangled Web'' #1===
June 2001, Marvel Comics: The cover of the first issue of the anthology series ''Tangled Web'' (later ''[[Spider-Man's Tangled Web]]'') was erroneously printed on matte [[card stock]]. The comic was recalled and reprinted with a glossy cover.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Childs |first=Kelvin |date=November 18, 2018 |title=Totally Recalled: 15 Comics the Stores Had to Send Back |url=https://www.cbr.com/comics-recalled-sent-back-to-printer/#spider-man-s-tangled-web-the-thousand-1 |access-date=July 30, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

===''Universe X: Spidey'' #1===
January 2001, Marvel Comics: In this [[one-shot (comics)|one-shot]],{{efn|Despite being a one-shot, this comic is usually referred to as issue #1.}} part of the ''[[Earth X|Universe X]]'' series, [[inker]] [[Al Milgrom]] worked into the spines of books on a shelf a message referring to former Marvel Editor-in-Chief [[Bob Harras]]: "Harras—ha ha, he's gone—good riddance to bad rubbish—he was a nasty S.O.B." An editor caught and removed Milgrom's hidden (and potentially libelous) insults, but they were inadvertently restored during the production process. When retailers discovered the message in advance copies, Marvel recalled the comic and reprinted it. Marvel also fired Milgrom, but allowed him to work for the company as a freelancer on the condition that he cover the cost of the recall and reprinting. There are three cover variants of the recalled comic. The offending message was reprinted in the collection ''Universe X Volume 1'', due to what was characterized as an archiving error, but the book was not recalled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=April 12, 2017 |title=Marvel Fired an Artist Over Hidden Messages in a Comic – in 2001 |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-fired-al-milgrom-hidden-message/ |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Universe X: Spidey'' #1 |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/88593/ |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=Grand Comics Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Recalled Editions |url=https://comics.www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/SetScoreDetail.aspx?SetTypeID=354 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=CGC Collectors Society}}</ref>

===''Wolverine'' #131===
November 1998, Marvel Comics: [[Todd Dezago|Todd DeZago]] was slated to write three issues of ''[[Wolverine (comic book)|Wolverine]]'', issue #131 being the third. However, he took exception to editor Mark Powers's numerous changes to his script for issue #130, and pulled out of issue #131. DeZago was replaced by [[Brian K. Vaughan]]. On one page of Vaughan's script that referred to [[Sabretooth (character)|Sabretooth]], Powers crossed out what Vaughan had written and wrote in the word ''killer'', so that Powers's intended phrase was "the killer known as Sabretooth". The script was then faxed to the [[letterer]] at [[Comicraft]], who had difficulty reading Powers's handwriting in the fax. As a result, the letterer put in the word ''[[kike]]'' instead of ''killer'', unaware that the former was an [[antisemitism|antisemitic]] slur. The issue was behind its production schedule due to the change in writers, and was not proofread properly before printing. The recalled version of this comic is not particularly rare.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=October 25, 2016 |title=An Issue of ''Wolverine'' Was Once Recalled Over an Ethnic Slur |url=https://www.cbr.com/when-an-issue-of-wolverine-was-recalled-over-an-ethnic-slur/ |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Wolverine'' #131 Racial Slur Variant |url=https://recalledcomics.com/Wolverine131Recalled.php |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Recalled Comics}}</ref>

==Returnable comics==
Publishers have chosen not to recall certain comics, but have issued notices that voluntary returns would be accepted.

===''The Adventures of Superman'' #596===
November 2001, DC Comics: The "[[Our Worlds at War]]" storyline depicts the [[DC Universe]] facing an existential threat from [[Imperiex]], beginning with an attack on Earth. "Our Worlds at War" spans a large number of titles and one-shots, including ''[[Superman (comic book)#1986 revamp|The Adventures of Superman]]'' issues #593 through #596. In the last of these four comics, Superman surveys the damage done to Earth by Imperiex's invasion, and one panel shows the pair of [[LexCorp]] skyscrapers in [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] burning. The day before the issue was scheduled to ship to retailers, the [[September 11 attacks]] occurred. The resemblance between the damaged LexCorp buildings and the Twin Towers of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] was unmistakable, and DC announced that it would accept returns of the comic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.icv2.com/articles/news/714.html |title=DC Makes Adventures of Superman #596 Returnable |publisher=ICv2 |date=2001-09-17 |access-date=2009-04-26 |archive-date=2009-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219221716/http://icv2.com/articles/news/714.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=November 27, 2017 |title=Did DC Pulp a Superman Comic Over a Tragic 9/11 Coincidence? |url=https://www.cbr.com/superman-dc-pulped-9-11-coincidence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804064846/https://www.cbr.com/superman-dc-pulped-9-11-coincidence/ |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

===''Conan and the Demons of Khitai'' #3===
December 2005, [[Dark Horse Comics]]: As a joke, [[Tony Harris (artist)|Tony Harris]] submitted a cover for ''[[Conan (Dark Horse Comics)|Conan]]'' issue #24 that featured a woman almost completely nude. In issue #3 of the limited series ''Conan and the Demons of Khitai'', however, editor [[Scott Allie]] used Harris's cover as an advertisement for ''Conan'' #24. As with previous occasions of nudity in ''Conan'', some retailers objected. Dark Horse chose to print a second run of ''Conan and the Demons of Khitai'' #3 with a bikini painted onto the woman in the advertisement, and informed stores that the first printing would be returnable. ''Conan'' #24 was printed with the sanitized cover, and also in a limited run of 4,000 with Harris's original cover.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Conan and the Demons of Khitai'' #3 Nude Advert Issue |url=https://recalledcomics.com/ConanDemonsofKhitai3Nude.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805061910/https://recalledcomics.com/ConanDemonsofKhitai3Nude.php |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=Recalled Comics}}</ref>

===''Death: The High Cost of Living'' #3===
May 1993, [[Vertigo Comics|DC Vertigo]]: Two pages intended to create a [[glossary of comics terminology#Spread|spread]] did not face each other in the initial printing of this issue, so Vertigo corrected and reprinted it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Death: The High Cost of Living'' #3 [Uncorrected First Printing] |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/52929/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805162535/https://www.comics.org/issue/52929/ |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Grand Comics Database}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.neilgaimanbibliography.com/comics/highcostofliving/deaththcol-3corrected.html |title= Death: The High Cost Of Living #3 |publisher= neilgaimanbibliography |date= 2005-08-22 |access-date= 2010-02-13 |archive-date= 2008-11-20 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081120080712/http://www.neilgaimanbibliography.com/comics/highcostofliving/deaththcol-3corrected.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

===''Spider-Man: Reign'' #1===
December 2006, Marvel Comics: ''[[Spider-Man: Reign]]'' is a four-issue series set three decades into the future, on Earth-70237. The initial printing of the first issue, [[Marvel Comics rating system#System|rated T+ (Teens and Up)]], includes a panel that depicts an elderly, naked [[Spider-Man|Peter Parker]] with his genitalia visible, though not in detail. Along with the shipment of this comic, Marvel issued a "content advisory", warning retailers that it "contains an image that may be misinterpreted by some readers as inappropriate", and apologizing "for any inconvenience". Marvel also made the issue returnable. The first printing has two cover variants. For the second printing, shadow was drawn onto Parker in the panel, hiding his body.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Spider-Man Reign'' #1 Nude Peter Parker |url=https://recalledcomics.com/Spider-ManReign1Nude.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806120024/https://recalledcomics.com/Spider-ManReign1Nude.php |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Recalled Comics}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://sequentiallyspeaking.blogspot.com/2006/12/full-monty.html|title= Comic Book Conversations|publisher= Sequentially speaking|date= 2006-12-06|access-date= 2010-02-13|archive-date= 2011-07-08|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110708062703/http://sequentiallyspeaking.blogspot.com/2006/12/full-monty.html|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Spider-Man: Reign'' #1 [Direct Edition - 50/50 Split - Red Costume] |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/328987/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806121534/https://www.comics.org/issue/328987/ |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Grand Comics Database}}</ref>

===''Venom: Lethal Protector'' #1===
February 1993, Marvel Comics: The cover of issue #1 of the limited series ''[[Venom: Lethal Protector]]'', the first title to feature [[Venom (character)|Venom]] as the main character, shows him in front of red foil webbing over a black background. On a small number of copies, the foil did not adhere properly to the paper, resulting in a solid black background (sometimes with traces of foil). Marvel accepted returns of these comics. The erroneously printed copies are now quite valuable. There is also a very rare variant cover with a white background. Marvel printed an additional, limited run of the issue with gold foil on the covers instead of red, and the white error variant is thought to be a result of the gold foil not sticking to the paper.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Venom: Lethal Protector'' #1 Error Variants |url=https://recalledcomics.com/VenomLethalProtector1Error.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727063804/https://recalledcomics.com/VenomLethalProtector1Error.php |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |access-date=August 8, 2023 |website=Recalled Comics}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Mark |date=May 16, 2021 |title=Venom Gets Scarce with ''Venom: Lethal Protector'' #1 Black Up for Auction |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/venom-gets-scarce-with-venom-lethal-protector-1-black-up-for-auction/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619181036/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/venom-gets-scarce-with-venom-lethal-protector-1-black-up-for-auction/ |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cover: ''Venom: Lethal Protector'' #1 |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/76457/cover/4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416025325/https://www.comics.org/issue/76457/cover/4/ |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=Grand Comics Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2013 |title=Gimmick or Good? – ''Venom: Lethal Protector'' #1 |url=https://www.cbr.com/gimmick-or-good-venom-lethal-protector-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125012739/https://www.cbr.com/gimmick-or-good-venom-lethal-protector-1/ |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

==Problems that did not result in recalled or returnable comics==

===''Action Comics'' #309===
February 1964, DC Comics: The cover story of this issue, "The Superman Super-Spectacular!", features a cameo appearance by President [[John F. Kennedy]]. Shortly before the comic's release, [[Assassination of John F. Kennedy|Kennedy was assassinated]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bosch |first=Peter |date=April 15, 2023 |title=''ACTION COMICS'' #309: The Issue That Sums Up SUPERMAN in the Silver Age |url=https://13thdimension.com/action-comics-309-the-issue-that-sums-up-superman-in-the-silver-age/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529030637/https://13thdimension.com/action-comics-309-the-issue-that-sums-up-superman-in-the-silver-age/ |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=13th Dimension |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2021 |title=''Action Comics'' #309 |url=https://comicsarcheology.com/index.php/2021/03/08/action-comics-309/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309042315/http://comicsarcheology.com/index.php/2021/03/08/action-comics-309/ |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Comics Archeology |language=en-US}}</ref>

===''Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme'' #15===
March 1990, Marvel Comics: The character of Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau (based on [[Marie Laveau|the historical figure]]) appears in several issues of ''[[Doctor Strange (comic book)#Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme|Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme]]''. To depict her on the cover of issue #15, artist [[Jackson Guice]] drew from the photograph of Christian singer [[Amy Grant]] on the cover of her album ''[[The Collection (Amy Grant album)|The Collection]]''. When the comic was published, Grant objected to implicitly being associated with the occult, and sued Marvel for [[personality rights#United States|using her likeness without permission]]. Marvel and Grant settled out of court.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Issue List for Character Marie Laveau [Marvel, Earth-616] (p. 1973) (English) |url=https://www.comics.org/character/18103/issues/ |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Grand Comics Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme'' #15 |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/47723/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421021145/https://www.comics.org/issue/47723/ |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Grand Comics Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=February 29, 2008 |title=Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #144 |url=https://www.cbr.com/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-144/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421021145/https://www.comics.org/issue/47723/ |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref><ref name="suit">{{Cite news|title=Amy Grant Sues Marvel|publisher=[[The Comics Journal]]|work=No. 136|date=July 1990}}</ref><ref name="lawsuit">{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB372DBA6203D26&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Plus Entertainment|accessdate=December 6, 2007|publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|author=Chicago Sun-Times|work=archived - Excerpt available|date=April 9, 1990|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024021516/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB372DBA6203D26&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===''Ka-Zar the Savage'' #12===
March 1982, Marvel Comics: In his June 1982 "[[Bullpen Bulletins]]", Marvel Editor-in-Chief [[Jim Shooter]] gave a "Shooter Award" to Chemical Color for "Worst Engraver's Error". According to Shooter, in the story "Belasco...!" in ''[[Ka-Zar (Kevin Plunder)#Publication history|Ka-Zar the Savage]]'' issue #12, "an entire panel, a color-hold, was dropped out"; in other words, the panel was blank.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=June 1982 |title=Ka-Zar the Savage |story=Bullpen Bulletins |url=https://bronzeagejuniorgroovy.blogspot.com/2019/03/1982-marvel-bullpen-bulletins-this-time.html |access-date=August 10, 2023 |publisher=Marvel Comics |writer=[[Jim Shooter|Shooter, Jim]] |issue=15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Ka-Zar the Savage'' #12 Red Panel Variant |url=https://recalledcomics.com/Ka-ZarTheSavage12RedPanel.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805061944/https://recalledcomics.com/Ka-ZarTheSavage12RedPanel.php |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=Recalled Comics}}</ref>

===''Marvel Comics Super Special'' #27===
May 1983, Marvel Comics: ''[[Marvel Comics Super Special]]'' is a series of high-priced one-shots, mostly film adaptations, published in the 1970s and 1980s. Issue #27 is an adaptation of ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'', by [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]], [[Al Williamson]], and Carlos Garzón. The comic was scheduled to be put on sale in May 1983 (the exact date has been lost to time), the same month as the film premiere. ''Return of the Jedi'' actor [[Mark Hamill]], a comics fan, was surprised to find the issue on sale before the movie's release, and reported this to [[Lucasfilm]]. Marvel quickly put a stop to sales until after the premiere, preventing—to some extent—premature disclosure of plot details.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Marvel Super Special'' #27 |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/36999/ |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=Grand Comics Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=John Jackson |date=November 1, 2005 |orig-date=March 7, 1997 |title=CBG #1216 ('97): A look back at Marvel's ''Star Wars'' comics |url=http://cbgxtra.com/uncategorized/cbg-1216-97-a-look-back-at-marvels-star-wars-comics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708000733/http://cbgxtra.com/uncategorized/cbg-1216-97-a-look-back-at-marvels-star-wars-comics |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |website=[[Comics Buyer's Guide]] |publisher=[[F+W|F+W Media, Inc.]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cabaniss |first=Nathan |date=February 10, 2023 |title=Marvel Would Have Spoiled ''Return of the Jedi'' If It Wasn't For Mark Hamill |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-return-jedi-marvel-comics-mark-hammill/ |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref>

===''The Sandman'' #18===
August 1990, DC Vertigo: A small number of copies were erroneously printed with blue ink instead of yellow in the upper three panels of the first page.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.recalledcomics.com/Sandman18ErrorEdition.php |title=''The Sandman'' #18 Blue Variant |publisher=www.recalledcomics.com |date=2010-03-16 |access-date=2010-03-23 |archive-date=2010-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424050215/http://www.recalledcomics.com/Sandman18ErrorEdition.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''The Sandman'' #19===
September 1990, DC Vertigo: In the original printing of this issue, two pages are transposed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Sandman'' #19 Error Edition |url=https://recalledcomics.com/Sandman19ErrorEdition.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805061926/https://recalledcomics.com/Sandman19ErrorEdition.php |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=Recalled Comics}}</ref>

==Note==
{{Note list}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Comic book collecting]]
[[Category:Comics terminology]]
[[Category:Recalled publications| Comics]]